Art Of Noise // Yuck

In a year that’s seen chill-wave-no-wave-witch-house-glo-fi-lo-fi (delete as applicable) erupt over the internets like a virus (before eventually imploding in on itself), one band have remained a constant – cruising steadily throughout the crud, Yuck – masters of their own destiny – have set their own pace whilst casually overshadowing whatever *scene* is in vogue in any given month.

By now, we know all about their nineties inspired college jams that soar with ease; filled to the brim with melodic pop hooks and blissed out guitar breaks. But underneath it all, what music actually makes them tick? Here, Max Bloom (guitar) and Daniel Blumberg (vocals) curate a special downloadable mix-tape in which track-by-track they take us on a tour of their current musical crushes. Whether they’re revealing their introspective side with a choice cut from Red House Painters, classic case studies of dysfunctional pop with classics from Wilco and Grandaddy or bigging up fellow up and coming British talent A Grave With No Name – there’s something for everyone here. Special thanks goes out to the band for the fantastic artwork they created especially for this mix.

Yuck’s latest single – ‘Rubber’ – is out now and available on 12″ vinyl. More info via the bands website (watch the video below).

Red House Painters: ‘Grace Cathedral Park’
Listening to this song and album for the first time was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. No words to describe how beautiful the record is and this track sets the scene.

Ivansxtc: ‘Yesterday’
This song literally came from no where. It was put up on the Ivansxtc MySpace along with two other incredible songs and then just left. There have been no gigs, no one knows who he/they is/are and no one knows if he/they will ever make any music ever again. All that contextual crap aside ‘Yesterday’ is one of the greatest, most powerful songs of the last 10 years.

Kurt Vile: ‘Freak Train’
Kurt Vile’s style is something I’ve never really heard ever before, his chords and the way he plays guitar are all quite new to me. I love the production on this and the whole album. I also love the simple drum beat that runs throughout the track and never changes, it’s the one constant thing throughout the whole song, everything is quite chaotic around that one thing and I LOVE IT I REALLY DO.

Wilco: ‘I Am Trying To Break Your Heart’
This album was mixed by Jim O’Rourke, and it’s my favorite song on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. The melodies are so perfect, they’re never overdone. Jeff Tweedy has a voice that makes me shiver. I saw Wilco live at End of the Road festival with all the band, it was probably the best gig I’ve ever seen, and there were loads of stars in the sky, and I was really high!

A Grave With No Name: ‘Streams (Demo)’
Alex Shields for me is by far the most exciting songwriter in this country at the moment. This demo is the first thing I’ve heard since his debut album Mountain Debris and it made me think he’s going to make incredible records for years to come. He’s a classic songwriter, a Mark Linkous type genius and I’m so excited about what he’s going to produce in the future.

Built to Spill: ‘Randy Describes Eternity’
This song has amazing lyrics, as does the whole album. Built to Spill have been a really big influence on my guitar playing, especially with their lead parts, every note makes complete sense and all the guitars sound perfect.

Grandaddy: ‘He’s Simple, He’s Dumb, He’s The Pilot’
From the album The Sophtware Slump.. musically they are so inventive and original, all of the sounds are absolutely perfect and there is not one note out of place. Jason Lytle’s lyrics are also so imaginative and unusual, they just show everything I love about simple, beautiful songs.

Codeine: ‘New Years’
Codeine ruined my summer :(

Jim O’Rourke: ‘Something Big’
There is something so incredible about the songs on this album, the production is so simple and understated. Jim O’Rourke is one of my favorite producers. I love hearing this song on the album, because whenever it starts it makes me so happy. I imagine the female backing singers in the chorus to be wearing cocktail dresses. Not sure why.

Silver Jews: ‘Trains Across The Sea’
Starlite Walker is the best Joos album hands down. WHAAAAAT AN OPENER !!!

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Art Of Noise // Yuck
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